If smooth underarms are on your list this season, you’ve probably Googled the best way to get rid of armpit hair and found twenty different answers. At Dr PJ Aesthetic Clinic in London, we meet people with every skin tone, hair type, and comfort level—and the real secret is matching the method to your skin and your routine. Below is a calm, jargon-free breakdown of what actually works, what to expect, and how to keep irritation low while you get the results you want.  

The Best Way to Get Rid of Armpit Hair Depends on You

  Bodies don’t read marketing claims. The “best” option is shaped by three things: your skin tone and sensitivity, your hair texture/colour, and how long you want smoothness to last. For busy weeks, a quick shave may be the best way to get rid of armpit hair because it’s fast and predictable. For longer gaps between regrowth—and fewer ingrowns—light-based treatments or waxing often pull ahead. The win is the method you can maintain without flare-ups or fuss.

Quick Fixes You Can Rely On (When Time Is Tight)

  When the calendar is full and you need tidy underarms today, these everyday options work well with a little care:

• Shaving: Cheap, fast, and safe when done gently. Use a fresh razor, shave with the grain in short strokes, and finish with an alcohol-free moisturiser.
• Depilatory creams: Dissolve hair at the surface. Patch-test first, time it carefully, and rinse thoroughly to avoid irritation.
• Trimming: Easiest on reactive skin and zero risk of ingrowns—great for in-between days or before switching methods.

If your skin gets cranky easily, these can be the best way to get rid of armpit hair short-term while you plan a longer-lasting approach.  

Waxing and Sugaring: Weeks of Smooth, If Your Skin Tolerates It

  Removing hair from the root means slower, softer regrowth—and that’s the appeal here.

1. Waxing: Grips short hair well and buys 3–4 weeks of smoothness. Exfoliate gently 24–48 hours beforehand and avoid deodorant the day of treatment.
2. Sugaring: A natural paste (sugar, water, lemon) applied at room temp. Often kinder on sensitive skin and easier to clean off.
3. Aftercare basics: Loose fabrics, a cool shower, and light exfoliation after 48 hours to keep ingrowns down.

If you’re prone to folliculitis or frequent bumps, waxing may not be the best way to get rid of armpit hair consistently—but sugaring and good aftercare can still keep the peace.  

Is Laser or IPL the Best Way to Get Rid of Armpit Hair for You?

  Light-based treatments target pigment in the follicle to disrupt growth. For medium-to-coarse, darker hair, laser or IPL can be the best way to get rid of armpit hair because results last longer, shadows fade, and ingrowns usually drop off. What matters most:

1. Hair & skin match: Darker hair responds best; very light, grey, or red hairs are less responsive.
2. Safety by skin tone: Settings must suit your Fitzpatrick type; we always patch-test first.
3. Consistency: Expect a series (often 4–8+ sessions spaced 4–6 weeks apart) to catch different growth phases.
4. Simple aftercare: Cool compresses, bland moisturiser, and no sun or self-tan on the area.

At Dr PJ Aesthetic Clinic, we tailor wavelength, energy, and timing so results build steadily with minimal irritation.  

Electrolysis: The Finishing Touch for Stubborn Strays

  When a few light or grey hairs laugh at laser, electrolysis steps in. It treats each follicle individually with a tiny current, making it ideal for “clean-up” after a laser course—or as a standalone for hairs that won’t play by the rules. It’s slower per session, but for those few holdouts, it can be the best way to get rid of armpit hair permanently.  

Comfort First: Keeping Skin Calm So You Can Stick With It

  Irritation is what makes people quit. A handful of small habits keeps things comfortable:

• Timing: If you’re pain-sensitive, avoid booking right before or during your period.
• Prep: Clean skin; no deodorant, self-tan, or heavy actives on treatment day. Gentle exfoliation 24–48 hours ahead helps wax/sugar grip hair, not skin.
• Post-care: Cool water rinse, fragrance-light moisturiser, and breathable tops. Start gentle exfoliation after 48 hours to ward off ingrowns.

Follow these, and your chosen method—whether quick or long-lasting—stays the best way to get rid of armpit hair for your skin, not just on paper.  

Best Way to Get Rid of Armpit Hair: How Long Results Last

  Timelines help set stress-free expectations:

• Shaving/creams: Hours to a few days; maintain as needed.
• Waxing/sugaring: Usually 3–4 weeks of smoothness, with softer regrowth over time.
• Laser/IPL: Visible reduction by sessions 2–3; fuller results after the series. Maintenance may be needed a few times per year, depending on hormones and hair biology.
• Electrolysis: Progressive, permanent clearance for treated follicles across multiple visits.

If you want the best way to get rid of armpit hair with fewer calendar reminders, light-based reduction often wins, especially for ingrowns and shadow.  

Safety Check: When to Pause or Get Advice First

 

• Pregnancy/breastfeeding: Skip light-based treatments; stick to trimming or careful shaving.
• Photosensitising meds/conditions: Review with your clinician before laser/IPL.
• Active eczema/folliculitis: Calm flares first; consider gentler options until skin is stable.
• Recent sun or self-tan: Wait until skin returns to baseline before any light-based session.

That quick chat protects your skin—and your results—while you pursue the best way to get rid of armpit hair for your situation.  

Best Way to Get Rid of Armpit Hair: Costs And What to Expect

  Pricing changes with method, device, and the number of sessions. In London, shaving and depilatories are low ongoing costs; waxing/sugaring sit mid-range per visit; laser/IPL has a higher upfront investment but fewer visits long-term; electrolysis is billed by time. We provide written estimates and always note that totals vary by factors like hair density, response rate, and your maintenance plan.

How Dr PJ Aesthetic Clinic Personalises Your Plan

  We start with a skin/hair assessment, talk through daily habits (gym, travel, skincare), then outline sensible routes—quick fixes for now, longer-term options for later. If laser looks like the best way to get rid of armpit hair for you, we patch-test, schedule your series, and build easy aftercare into your routine. If waxing or sugaring suits you better, we coach prep and recovery so the skin stays calm and you stay consistent.  

Conclusion

  There isn’t one “right” method for everyone—the best way to get rid of armpit hair is the one your skin tolerates, your schedule supports, and your budget can sustain. For many, a laser series brings the most freedom with fewer ingrowns; for others, a careful shave or sugaring routine keeps life simple. Curious what would actually work for you? Book a consultation at Dr PJ Aesthetic Clinic in London. We’ll look at your skin and hair, explain options in plain English, and map a plan that’s comfortable now and easy to keep up later.  

FAQs — Best Way to Get Rid of Armpit Hair

 

What’s the best way to get rid of armpit hair if I have very sensitive skin?

  Start with trimming or a gentle shave (fresh razor, short strokes, soothing moisturiser). If you want longer gaps between regrowth, try sugaring with a patch test first; it’s often kinder than hot wax.  

Is laser the best way to get rid of armpit hair for darker skin tones?

  It can be—when the device and settings are matched to your skin tone. We select wavelength/energy carefully and always patch-test to prioritise safety and steady results.  

I get ingrowns. Which method helps most?

  Light-based reduction often helps by thinning and slowing regrowth. If you prefer waxing or sugaring, pair it with breathable fabrics, a gentle chemical exfoliant after 48 hours, and fragrance-light moisturiser.